Back where we belong.
A fine Fernando Torres hat-trick helped Liverpool to a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield on Saturday, a victory which moves Rafael Benitez's side back into the top four.
It is only Liverpool's second league win of 2008, but following Tuesday's stunning 2-0 scoreline against Inter Milan we finally seem to be turning the corner. Everton could retake fourth spot on Sunday but face a tough trip to Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City.
All the doubts surrounding Liverpool's form in recent weeks briefly resurfaced nine minutes in when some shoddy marking allowed Sanli Tuncay acres of space to head past Pepe Reina.
But when Torres is in the mood it seems there's no stopping him. Goal number 19 of his maiden campaign in English football came on 28 minutes. Capitalising on a mistake from Julio Arca, the Spaniard rounded keeper Mark Schwarzer to level the scores.
Less than two minutes later he had goal number 20. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Torres let fly with a thunderbolt, giving Schwarzer no chance.
Benitez recently commented that squandering one-goal leads has become something of an unwelcome habit this season. The Liverpool boss would therefore have been delighted to see his compatriot make the most of another 'Boro defensive blunder to edge the Reds further ahead on the hour mark.
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Boost the Anfield atmosphere? The notorious Anfield? The place where Europe's best hide in the shadows upon hearing the roar of the Kop?
True, there is little wrong with the decibel level when the Inters, the Barcas and the Chelseas come to visit. But what about the Boltons, the Barnsleys and the 'Boros?
We at Pies dream of a time when the atmosphere at domestic encounters is as fantastic and as fearsome as Champions League nights. And that's why we want to kick off more posts about terrace chants.
The old classics such as You'll Never Walk Alone, Poor Scouser Tommy and Fields of Anfield Road hold a special place in everyone's hearts. But what about the rest of the collection?
Thanks to contributors to RAWK a comprehensive list of Liverpool songs can be found here. Cheers lads. Now get out there and sing them!
Oh, and why not use the comment button below to start a debate about your favourites?
[Image: Getty]
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Benitez bashers are always quick to point out Rafa’s failings in the transfer market, but there’s consistently been one name thrown up in the gaffer’s spending defence: Xabi Alonso.
Since the Spaniard followed his countryman to Liverpool for a shade over £10million, he’s been hailed by many as the best passer of the ball since Jan Molby strutted his waddling stuff on the Anfield turf. But, due to a combination of injuries and the emergence of Javier Mascherano, this past 12 months has been a difficult one for Xabi, who’s spent much of the recent few weeks confined to the bench – if he made the squad at all.
With Masch now one of the first names on the teamsheet, and the heady rise of Lucas to the first team, is it about time we waved goodbye to Xabi?
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Our thoughts are with Besian Idrizaj after it emerged the former Liverpool striker was hospitalised at the weekend after collapsing on the pitch.
The Austrian youngster, who left Anfield in January for homeland side FC Wacker Innsbruck, fell to the ground 14 minutes from time after coming off the bench to face Sturm Graz.
Following extensive heart and brain tests the 20-year-old was allowed home. I think I speak for all of us in wishing Besian a speedy return to full health and the Innsbruck first team.
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1. Few distractions - With our title challenge over, not to mention our Carling and FA Cup campaigns, the only thing Rafa has to keep his eye on other than the Champions League is ensuring we qualify for the competition again.
2. The Anfield crowd - We've heard it before and we'll hear it again. The noise that rolls around Anfield on European nights is immense.
3. Colossal centre backs - When it comes to keeping out Europe's best attackers few have the experience - or the success rate - of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia. Carragher's performance in Istanbul was a textbook defensive display and a key factor in Liverpool's triumph.
4. Defensively strong midfielders - Recent history suggests that teams with solid defensive midfielders do well in Europe. Look at Milan with Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, us with Didi Hamann and Xabi Alonso, and Real Madrid when they had Claude Makelele. With Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Alonso to choose from solidity isn't an issue.
5. Steven Gerrard's knack of bagging match-winning goals - The examples are endless. Olympiakos was magic. West Ham was euphoric. Moscow?
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With the Champions League Liverpool's only remaining chance of glory, Rafael Benitez has got to get it right when Italian giants Inter travel to Anfield tonight.
The Serie A leaders are in imperious form and are yet to lose a league game this season. Theoretically the Reds don't need to become the first side to beat them since Fenebache managed it in September - two draws could edge us through - but why take chances? We need to take some kind of advantage into the second leg at the San Siro.
But who, and how, does Rafa play? Fernando Torres was rested for Saturday's humiliating defeat to Barnsley but will surely return to lead the line. Who would you play alongside him though? Dirk Kuyt has the experience and scored on Saturday, but the Italians won't be familiar with a striker like Two-Metre Peter. Another option, of course, would be to play El Nino as a lone striker.
Ryan Babel was one of few positives from Saturday's nightmare. Does his early withdrawal from the game suggest he has earned a starting place?
We know the Italian's won't come over to attack. They'll try to slow the game down and dictate from defence through midfield. So, do we really need to play both Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano? If not, which one would you drop? And who would you bring in? Perhaps Yossi Benayoun could run Inter ragged in the way King Luis Garcia did to Juventus three years ago?
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It’s been a season of what feels like never ending disappointment. A glimmer of pre-season confidence that we could challenge for the league gone by Christmas. The hope our new owners would fire us to glory gone by November. A manager and a team laughed at and ridiculed by everyone around us.
And just as we thought it couldn’t get worse; just as we thought a Wembley final might give us something to be proud of this season, Barnsley rear their Championship head. At Anfield. Having been a goal down.
Ladies and gentlemen, Liverpool have hit rock bottom. But is it about time that such a wake-up call is finally sent to one and all in the club?
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